So, this is the second instalment in the Love In the Dark Trilogy, sequel to Is It Ever Too Late-I give you...Of Shadows And Secrets.
Prologue
'Doubt thou the stars are fire,
Doubt thou that the sun doth move,
Doubt truth to be a liar,
But never doubt I love.'
William Shakespeare, Hamlet.
Orla
"Richard! RICHARD!" I cried, running out to my husband's forge.
"Orla? What is it, sweetling?" he asked. "What's happened?"
"Oh, Richard, it's Lyara!" His countenance grew grave. He refused to speak of Lyara, not wanting to tear open the healing scar that had its origins in my sending her away. In truth, he missed her. We all did. "She never arrived in King's Landing. I have a letter from the High Septon himself, asking why she has not yet come to the Capital when we said she'd be there within a month. She's been missing for two!"
"What?! How? Wasn't that where she went?"
"I told you before; I don't know where she went! She just disappeared, and that's what I assumed because she took Copper with her! She could be lying dead somewhere, she didn't even take anything to defend herself-her bow and sword are in her old room-" I choked on a sob. "What are we going to do? Lord Stark is in the Capital, Lady Stark has vanished, and they've left only young Robb and that Jon Snow in their place." Richard frowned, trying to mask the look of fright that had flashed over his features originally. What could I do? I was only a woman, whose foster daughter was missing and whose husband was just as scared as her.
Copper was my mare that I'd given to Lyara to take her safely to the Capital. Apparently, either that hadn't worked or Lyara had run off.
"I think we should have a word with Jon," Richard growled.
When we did get an audience with Robb Stark, it gave only disappointment. His half-brother was not there.
"Jon has gone to the Night's Watch. I'm sorry, but I don't know where Lyara is," he told us. "I can send a raven to Castle Black if you so wish, but she was Jon's lifelong friend, and I do not want to upset him by giving him the news that Lyara is missing, especially considering he cannot do anything about it. By now he is a Sworn Brother of the Night's Watch, and he is not able to leave the Wall without express permission of the Lord Commander."
"Our daughter has disappeared. He would be the first to know where she is," I said as politely as I could in my frustration.
"I don't think so. As I said, I can send a raven."
We refused and thanked him for his time, and as soon as we got home I burst into tears. "I think I know where Lyara is," I wept as Richard cradled me.
"We can't do anything, Orla. If she's discovered she'll be executed," he reasoned quietly.